Exploring Life & Business with Julie Knight of The Hype Dance Complex

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Knight.

Hi Julie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I grew up in Connecticut and started training and competing in dance at a very young age, with a family that always encouraged me to follow what I loved. After high school, I moved to New York City and signed with MSA Agency. I was fully immersed in the dance world, training constantly, dancing professionally, teaching and choreographing at competitive studios, and traveling internationally to teach. In 2017, I made the move to Los Angeles to continue my professional dance career while staying deeply involved in competitive studio training and education.

When COVID hit, everything slowed down and gave me time to really reflect on what I wanted my life to look like long term. I started thinking about what truly fulfilled me and what felt like it was missing. I realized how much I loved working with children and watching them grow and gain confidence through dance. I also wanted a more intentional role in shaping dancers’ training from the ground up. That period of reflection is what led to the vision for The Hype Dance Complex, a space built around strong training, artistry, and community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Opening a new business always comes with challenges, and ours faced an added layer of social and logistical obstacles as we opened at the tail end of COVID. There were still safety concerns, uncertainty, and a lot of unknowns that came with running an in-person business during that time. On top of that, the building itself hadn’t been used in years and needed a full renovation from top to bottom. Navigating construction, timelines, and the financial risk of bringing an old space back to life was a challenge in itself, especially as a first-time business owner.

About three months into our doors being open, I flew to the East Coast for the holidays and returned to a nightmare. Our air conditioning had backed up and flooded the building, leaving several inches of water inside and completely ruining the brand-new subfloor. We had to pause, regroup, and temporarily relocate classes to a studio in Hollywood. The owner, Dana, was truly a living angel and gave us the support and space we needed during an incredibly stressful time.

Throughout all of it, my family was a constant source of encouragement. They supported me not only emotionally, but also as I learned how to navigate business ownership for the first time. Having people who believed in the vision and reminded me why I started made all the difference during moments when things felt overwhelming.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Hype Dance Complex?
At The Hype Dance Complex, we take a highly individual approach to training. We believe every dancer brings something unique, and our goal is to highlight those qualities rather than mold dancers into one specific style. Dance is about expression, and we want our dancers to feel confident, supported, and free to be themselves.

We believe in strong training, discipline, and growth, but we also believe dance should be fun. When kids are enjoying the process, they learn faster, build confidence, and develop a healthier relationship with their art. We take seriously the responsibility that comes with working closely with children and are intentional about creating an environment that feels supportive, safe, and age appropriate, where dancers can grow both as artists and as people.

Community is truly the heart of our studio. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to attract studio families who are kind, supportive, fun, and easygoing, families who genuinely trust us and value the environment we’ve created. That sense of mutual respect and support shapes everything we do. We’re also proud to work with an exceptional faculty of teachers and choreographers who bring real professional experience into the studio in a way that feels inspiring, grounded, and accessible for our dancers. I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built and the thoughtful, emotional, and unique work we bring to the stage, all while protecting our dancers and maintaining integrity.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
For the first six years I lived in Los Angeles, I surfed almost every morning. Being near the ocean keeps me grounded, and I feel incredibly lucky to live in a place that supports both my creative work and my love for nature.

People often expect me to be intense because dance, especially in California, is such a highly competitive world. I take my art very seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously at all. I’m actually pretty silly and try to find humor in everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehypedance.com
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/thehypeLA
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/thehypeLA
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@thehypedancecomplex

Image Credits
Lee Gumbs Photography, Dance KAR